I'm Not the Baby Anymore.

So we went to see our good friends Jill and Andy this weekend. They are stationed up at McGuire Air Force Base and just had a beautiful baby girl McKenna Rae.

Brayden was so interested in whenever McKenna would make a noise. I think that he was thinking, wait I am not the only baby anymore, haha. We had an awesome time visiting with them and are so happy that they now live only 1.5 hours away, versus across the country in Montana! Our visit went wayyy too quick though!

We can't wait to get the kiddos together again and hopefuly see them soon! As long as Brayden doesn't scare McKenna this time, haha just kidding, she was hungry! It was too cute when she started crying though...Brayden was looking at her with this concerned look on his face, like what is wrong McKenna??!! Congrats again Jill and Andy! We are so happy for you and your precious baby girl!

Beautiful Weather and Guitar Lessons

Today was a beautiful day and we were able to get out for our first walk since Brayden was probably three months old. It was amazing and felt great to just go for a nice long walk with Brayden and Bailey dog. Although, pushing Brayden in the stroller and trying to walk Bailey dog is not the easiest of tasks by myself. But we had a great time and I loved watching Brayden look around and take in his surroundings.

Here is a picture from before we left...Bailey did not want to sit still one second longer. And the flash gets Brayden every time, like a deer in headlights!

This is a picture from last weekend. Dan was giving Brayden some early guitar lessons, haha. I love this picture. Doesn't it say it all??!! The love of a father and son!

6 months

So today we had Brayden's six month doctor's appointment and he is doing great!!

Height: 26.25 (60th percentile)

Weight 19lbs 1.6 ounces (75th percentile)

Clothes Size: 9 to 12 months

Diapers: Size 4

This month has been full of changes:

-Brayden can now sit up very well and even catches himself when he starts to fall to one side or the other. We just have to watch him flying backwards, but he only seems to do that now when he gets tried.

-Brayden has also mastered rolling over in both directions, but does not seem to like to roll onto his tummy too much (well unless he is in his crib). As far as rolling to his back...now every time we put Brayden on his tummy he rolls over to his back within seconds. I think partially because he doesn't want to be on his tummy and partially because it makes us laugh.

-Recently this week, the few times that we have managed to get Brayden to stay on his tummy he has started pulling his knees up under himself.

-We continue to get lots of smiles and more and more "talking" daily.

-Brayden loves Bailey dog. Especially when Bailey gets close enough for Brayden to pet (well bat at) and pull his hair or ears. Haha, it is too cute and Bailey doesn't seem to mind.

-Dan has managed to get a handful of belly laughs from Brayden. It is not consistent yet, but way more than I get...I guess I am not as funny. Surprise, surprise.

-Brayden continues to LOVE his jumperoo and his johnny-jump-up. He actually seems to like the johnny-jump-up more than the jumperoo. I did not think that was possible.

Sleep habits (for now....):


-Wake time is around 7 or 7:30am
-Brayden is now down to two naps a day which average about 1.5 to 2 hours.
-Bedtime is around 7:30pm

What is next:

-We have not started food yet, but are thinking about starting it this weekend. Say tuned for further discussions and stories on that!!

-More laughing (hopefully)...can't ever get enough of those belly laughs!

-Maybe (if we can keep Brayden on his tummy long enough) some more baby steps toward crawling...not that I want a completely mobile baby.

So apparently we were not funny enough to get a smile from Brayden when we took these pictures, but we did manage to get some spit up and drool! Welcome to six months! We love you Brayden!

6 Month Letter

Dear Brayden,

You are six months old today! Wow, I know I say this all the time, but I really can't believe how quick the past six months have been!!! Having you in our lives has been an amazing blessing, but man does time fly!! During the past six months, I have been extremely lucky to be able to work from home and stay with you every day. I have cherished each day that we have spent together, the good and bad, never knowing when I might have to start going back into the office to work. However, recently I have been trying to not only enjoy every day, but also every moment with you because it seems like you are growing and changing by the second now.

Brayden, during the past six months, you have brought so much happiness and joy to our lives. Just the mention of your name puts a smile on our faces, and your daily smiles, coos, and laughter fulfill us more than you will ever know. It is tough to name all of our favorite memories of you right now, because they are endless! But a few that come to mind are: watching you sit up (which you get better and better at each day), watching you bounce away and smile in your jumperoo and johnny-jump-up (you would stay in them for hours if we let you), seeing you roll over the second we put you on your tummy (I think you just enjoy seeing us laugh every time you do it), watching you play with your toys (you seem like you are in your own little peaceful world), seeing you smile and laugh, listening to you "talk", watching you grab onto things and reach for things that you want (daddy is still patiently waiting for you to reach out for him), and one of our top favorites right now is seeing your heart melting smile the second we walk into your room in the morning or after naps!! It is sooo amazing to watch your little personality start to form!

You have become quite the sleeper recently, and although we still rock you until you are almost asleep, I have to say that I am not ready to give this up yet. Will I ever be?? I don't know?! Holding you and rocking you to sleep is priceless, unexplainable, and absolutely amazing. When I look down at you while you are sleeping in my arms, it makes my day complete and worthwhile, no matter what else has gone on. The day you were born we loved you more than we ever thought possible, and today we love you more than the day you were born. How is it possible that we continue to love you more and more each day??? I don't know, but we do!!!

Brayden, your dad and I are sooo proud of all that you have accomplished in six short months: first bath, first smile, first melt down (okay, maybe not so proud of that one), first restaurant and mall outing, first time rolling over, first road trip, first time flat in your crib, first time to church, first time grabbing onto toys, first time sitting up, first laugh, and many many more. Thinking about how much you have changed these past six months, we can't even imagine what the next six months with bring...first tooth, first bites of food, first time crawling, first time pulling yourself up, first birthday, and maybe first time walking. Just thinking about the future with you in our lives brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. But for now, can you just stay six months?! Please?! Okay, I know that is not reasonable, but can you at least stay my baby forever??!!!

Brayden we love you more than we ever dreamed possible!

Valentine's Day

I hope that everyone had a nice Valentine's Day and weekend! Ours was very enjoyable, relaxing, and extra special with Brayden blessing our lives this year! We started our Valentine's Day early, because Sunday morning Dan informed me that he was making a special dinner on Monday. So, I got my plans going early and made heart shaped brownies with Brayden during the day and then homemade pizza with heart shaped pepperoni's for dinner.

Today was a perfect Valentine's Day. The only two things that would have made it better was if I did not have to work while Brayden was napping and if Dan stayed home from work! Anyway, Brayden and I hung out all day, played, and took a lot of pictures (prepare yourself). We had such a loved filled day!

Happy Valentine's Day!